Sentimental Sundays: Ansel Adams reminds us that art, beauty surround us

Yesterday we, the Ecosaurus contingent, visited the Phoenix Art Museum to lay eyes on the Ansel Adams exhibit. The display has held court since January, and the clock is running out for Valley denizens who wish to sneak a peek - only a week remains before the photos step down and journey back to Tucson.


The exhibit is wonderfully and thoughtfully displayed, grouped by early works, the Southwest, National Parks and architecture - with brief exposure to the color pictures commissioned by Arizona Highways and Kodak ("Wheat Fields" being a stunner), as well as a collection of glass-enclosed artifacts such as light meters, cameras, journals, photography workshop itineraries and more. The exhibit included flat-screen TVs, too, rolling clips of interviews done with Adams at the piano and behind the steering wheel. His words, tough to discern at times due to the recording quality of decades gone by, were poignant and poetic.


It's known going into the gallery that Adams is impressive - he's a cultural icon, to say the least. But his greatness is further revealed by what is relayed by the captions, the summaries, the videos and close inspection of the select photographs and transparencies. In addition to his abilities to endure weather and seize last-minute opportunities, envision the finished shot before snapping it, and to relay texture, mood and feeling through adept dark-room techniques, Adams's expressed desire to show Americans what the wilderness has to offer is telling of his character. He wanted others to enjoy his medium of choice, but more so he wanted people- all people regardless of age, class or culture - to enjoy what he captured through that medium: nature, the world. He strived through photography to inspire people to connect deeply with their surroundings, to realize the beauty in their day-to-day lives as well as all which lies beyond home in the depths of our National Parks. 


The emotions evoked by the exhibit are many, with awe overwhelming at times. Beyond the postcards and the book we acquired in the gift shop, we left with the reminder that, when viewed through the proper lens, life is art - and beauty surrounds us. ~ A.F.